Interfacial-contact apparatus



July 15, 1930. A. KREMSER INTERFACIAL CONTACT APPARATUS Filed Oct. 12, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN! 'E.\" TOR.

.-I TO RXE 1-5.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. KREMSER INTERFAG IAL CONTACT APPARATUS Filed Oct. 12, 1926 July 15, 1930.

Patented July 15, 1930 ALOIS KREMSER, F BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR 'I'O CARL F. BRAUN, 0F PASA- DENA, CALIFORNIA FINTERFACIAL-CONTACT APP i.

TUS

This invention relates to interfacial contact apparatus of the bubble type.

Bubble apparatus as now commonly used are formed with an outer vertical shell within which are arranged a series of superposed partition plates disposed at predetermined distances apart to form intermediate com-,

partments and through which plates a gas or vapor passes in upward direction, while functions might be combined. It is a fault of bubble apparatus that the apparatus does not operate under varying conditions of liquid and gas supply. Unless the relative proportions of liquid and gas or vapor are maintained within a rather narrow range, the apparatus will become inefllciently operated. Other types do not, due to their design, give a uniform and proportionally intimate contact between the gas or vapor and liquid throughout the apparatus, or they do not insure equilibrium between the fluids commingling in the several compartments formed by the partition plates.

It is the principal object of the present invention therefore to provide an interfacial contact apparatus which will insure that the gas or vapor and the liquid are brought into proportional contact within restricted areas as the fluids are allowed to commingle in en tering the compartments between the plates,

said zones of proportional contact being distributed and disposed in a uniform arrangement over the sectional area of the shell of the apparatus in each of the compartments, and furthermore insuring a maximum interfacial contact of the mixing fluids with a relatively low energy loss in the apparatus. The term interfacial contact is used here in the sense that minute particles of the liquid and gas flowing through the apparatus will have intimate and thorough contact with each other.

The present, invention contemplates the provision of an enclosing shell vertically disposed, the interior of which shell is subdivided by horizontally disposed partition plates to form a plurality of superposed compart ments, the plates being provided with a plurality of overflow pipes uniformly arranged over the area of each plate and directly communicating and co-operating with a novel bubble cap structure whereby gases counterflowing in the shell will be brought into intimate, proportional contact in the various compartments.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which v a Fig. 1 is a view in central vertical section through an apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in transverse horizontal section through the apparatus as seen on the line II-H of Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a view in transverse horizontal section through the apparatus as seen on the line IIIIII of Fig. 1;

F ig. 4 is a View in transverse horizontal section through the apparatus as seen on the line IV-IV of Fig. 1, and when considered with Figs. 2 and 3 shows the alternate uniform arrangement of the bubble caps and their complementary drain pipes; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section, showing the details of the drain pipes and bubble cap structure.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, indicates a cylindrical shell forming the outer wall of the apparatus of which the present invention is concerned. A head, 11, closes the lowerend of the shell, and a head, 12, is provided to close the upper end of the shell. The head 12 is here shown as formed with bolting flanges 14, which are complementary to flanges 13 disposed around the upper end of the shell, and which complementary flanges accommodate fastening bolts 15. Disposed a suitable distance from the lower head, 11, is a partition plate, 16, which is rigidly fastened within the shell, as for ex- I to lower compartments.

compartment 17 through a suitable induction pi 18. Disposed at predetermined inter- 'va throughout the height of the shell are intermediate partition plates 19., which separate the shell into a plurality of contact compartments, 20. These plates are rovided at points along their marginal e ges with bosses through which stay bolts 21 may pass. Intermediate spacer. pipes,- 22, are mounted on the stay bolts between the stay bolts and s ace plates fixed distances apart, while permitting all of the plates to be rigidly held by the set of bolts 21. The various partition plates 19 are fitted with annular circumscribin packing rings 23, which hermetically seal t e intermediate contact compartments 20, while accommodating expansion and contraction of the metal in the various arts due to varying temperature conditions.

he partition plates19 in most bubble stills of common construction carry a plurality of bubble caps or shells disposed over the openings through which an upwardly flowin gas or vapor maypass, and usually carry a rain pipe conducting the surplus liquid from upper Attention is therefore particularly directed to the construction and arrangement of the partition plates in the present design and the novel relation between the drain pipes and the bubble caps. Each of the plates is formed with a lurality of upwardly projectingnipples 24, t ese nipples extending a considerable distance above the up 1' horizontal face of the plates and are forms with a relatively large center bore 25, passing through the nipple and establishing communication between subjacent contact com .artments,20. The uniform arrangement of t e openings 25 through the plates, and the staggered relationship of the openings 1n adjacent plates, is indicated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. Disposed above each of the openings 25 on the plate, and extending downwardly withits lower edge circumscrlbmg a nipple, is a bubble cap, 26. The caps as here shown are square in section andthelr lnterlor dimensions are somewhat greater than those of the exterior diameter of the nipple 24, thus forming a vertical passageway 27 between the wall of the cap 26 and the wall of the nipple. The lowermost edge of the cap 26 is spaced a distance from the upper face of the plate 19, and therefore combines therewith to form an annular horizontal passageway 28 leading from the vertical annular passageway 2 within the bubble cap 26 to the contact compartment 20. Mixing of the fluids is increased due to the fact that the lip of the bubble cap is serrated with notches 26'. The bubble cap 26 circumscribes and is supported by a drain tube, 29, which extends vertically through the next succeeding upper partition plate, 19. These tubes are reduced in diameter at their upper ends to form a shoulder abutting against the underface of a partition plate 19, and are threaded near their ends to receive a liquid inflow nozzle 30, which also acts as a nut to hold the pipe in position. Due to the staggered relationship between the bubble caps on one plate and the bubble caps on the next succeeding plates, the inflow nozzle 30 on one plate will be disposed between bubble caps and will co-operate therewith in increasing mixing of the contacting fluids due to the relative positions of the nozzles and the caps and the outward flare on the mouth of the nozzle. This arrangement also tends to establish the direction of flow of the upwardly moving gases or vapors so that they will be projected against the underface of the next succeeding partition plates,

19, and will cause the entrained liquid therein to be deposited on the surfaces of the plates and to thereafter drain down the outer sides of the tubes 29. Disposed within each of the high bubble caps 26, is a weir cup 31. This cup is suitably supported from the tube, and circumscribe's the lower end of the tube upon which it is mounted in a manner to produce a liquid seal, the liquid overflowing the surrounding lip of the cup and passing by gravity down an annular passageway 32 formed between the outer surface of the weir cup 31 and the near surface of the bubble cap 26. It is to be understood that the horizontal level of the lip of inflowing nozzle 30 is considerably above the upper edge of the slots 26 in the bubble cap 26, thereby insuring that the va or or gas pouring from the bubble cap wi l, at all times, have to pass through a layer of liquid. It will also be apparent that the underface of-the weir cup 31 will act as a deflecting plate above the nipple 24, and will divert the upwardly flowing gas or vapor from its vertical path of travel, as it ascends through the opening 25, to a horizontal path of travel, thus projecting it against the side wall of the bubble cup and the liquid flowing downwardly into the annular passageway 2 surrounding the nipple 24. The uppermost partition plate, 19, eliminates the bubble ca construction and provides vertically exten ing deflector pipes 33 which are screwed into the bores 25 of the nipples 24. These pipes are fitted at their upper ends with canopied deflector caps 34,. which tend to divert the 36, which communicates with distributor pipes 37. These pipes are in turn fitted with nozzles 38, by which the inflowing liquid may be uniformly distributed over, the upper surface of the upper partition plate 19, and will cause a uniform feed of liquid to the drain tubes 29. The ends of these nozzles terminate at a level below the normal level of the liquid, so that there will not be any splash and to insure uniform distribution. The lowermost plate is fitted with the inflow nozzles 30, which are in communication with drain tubes 29, conducting the residuum liquid below the liluid level maintained in the compartment 1 In the operation of the present invention a liquid to be treated is delivered to the top of the apparatus through inflowing pipe 36, and is distributed over the surface of the upper partition or bubble plate 19 by distributor pipes 37 and their nozzles, 38. The liquid will thereafter flow by gravity through the various contact compartments 20, until the residuum liquid reaches the lower compartment, 17 and is drained off through a pipe 18. A gas or vapor which it is desired to bring into intimate interfacial contact with the liquid is delivered to the lower compartment 17 through a pipe 18, and due to its pressure head will flow upwardly through the bubble plates 19, and the intermediate contact compartments commingling with the down-flowing liquid and producing a desired ebullition in the successive contact compartments. If the gas or vapor flows upwardly through the lower row of nipples 24, it will encounter the under faces of the weir cups 31, and will be deflected horizontally to thus be projected against the film of liquid flowing over the lips of the-weir cups and falling downwardly along the inner sides of the bubble caps. Attention is directed to the fact that the under faces of the weir cups are convexed, so that the liquid striking thereagainst will be drawn outwardly and fall free of the nipple. The vapor or gas will thus directly contact with the downwardly flowing liquid and tend to flatten it out against the face of the bubble cap, after which the two fluids will commingle as they travel downwardly together and pass along the vertical passageway 27, surrounding the nipple. The gas or vapor and liquid will then move horizontally in the preferred form flowing out through the perforations 26 as shown in Fig. 5 in the lip of the bubble cap. As this discharge is below the liquid level on the plate, further intimate contact will be produced by the gas bubbling through the liquid. It will therefore be noted that the two commingling vapors will be given a restricted orifice effect as they pass from the interior of the bubble cap to the surrounding compartment, thereby insuring maximum turbulence of the fluids with a resulting maximum contact. Attention is directed to the fact that this turbulence will occur in the body of the liquid impounded upon the partition or bubble plate 19, and below the foam line. The mixing vapors, which are now in a high state of agitation, tend to pass upwardly as diverted from their horizontal path of travel by the inflow nozzles 30, which are disposed between the bubble caps-26, as clearly shown inFigs. 2 and 3. During the .course of the ebullition the gases or vapors will percolate through the body of oil and foam and will be projected upwardly against the bubble plate 19 of the next succeeding compartment 20. In this upward movement the gas will strike the underface of the bubble plate and the liquid sustained therein will be deposited upon this face and will flow down the outer surface of the drain tubes 29 and onto the outer surfaces of the bubble caps 26. where they will be again led into the area of turbulence. By particular reference to Fig. 4t of the drawing it will be seen that the liquid overflows the plates upon which it accumulates and is drained therefrom by the nozzles 30 and the drain tubes 29. It is to be noted that an accumulation or head of liquid will be created in each of the tubes. This is brought about due to variation in the pressure existing in the successive contact compartments,

for it will be understood that the pressure within the compartments progressively de-- creases toward the top of the apparatus. For example, assume that in a compartment 20, indicatedas a' the pressure is 14 inches water and that within the bubble cap of a contact compartment marked b the .pressure has dropped to 13 inches, and that pressure in the compartment willhave dropped to 10 inches and the pressure with in the compartment 0 dropped to six inches.

\Ve -will further assume that the pressure drop of the vapors or gas passing from compartment b to the bubble cap within the contact compartment indicated at c will be 1 inch, making the pressure within the bubble cap of this compartment 9 inches, and assuming that the pressure within the compartment c is 6 inches, it will be seen that there is a difference in pressure head of 7 inches between the pressure within thebubble cap of compartment band the pressure within compartment c. Therefore there will be an accumulated head of liquid within the drain tubes 29 leading from compartment 0 to the bubble cap Within the compartment b which head will be sub stantially 7 inches. The same applies to other caps on the same level, which insures that there will be a constant supply of liq uid flowing from an upper compartment to a lower compartment at a fixed rate of speed and mixing with a constant proportion of a gas or vapor within the bubble cap and thereafter more intimately contacting therewith when liberated from the bubble cap and into the contact compartment. It willalso be seen that in addition to the turbulence obtained by the u ward flow of gas or vapor at a predetermine pressure, as in the case of the usual bubble apparatus, there is found in this device the added advantage obtained by the downward flow of the liquid itself'as it spills over the edge of the weir cup and .falls into the assageway 27, between the cup and the nipp e, thus utilizing part of the energy of the falling liquid in producing turbulence. Further analysis discloses the fact that the mixing vapors flow together for a distance and thereafter pass together throu h the restricted orifices into the contact ,cliambers, where turbulence is created below the surface of the impounded liquid resting on the plate of the contact com artment and after which intimate inter acial contact takes place-between the particles of the mixing fluids. This arrangement therefore makes it possible to operate the apparatus at a relatively low pressure and with a ve small energy loss in the vapor or gas which is used.

Attention is directed to the fact that openings 40 are found through the walls of inflow nozzles 30, so that the weir cups will be rimed before the apparatus functons. The iquid on the partitlon plates 19 may be drawn oil when desired through drain members 41 (Figs. 3 and 4).

accumu ated quantity of liquid, as indicated at 42.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention as now known to me, it will be understood that various changes might be made in the combination, construction .and arrangement of parts by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An interfacial contact apparatus comprising an enclosing shell, a plurality of supe sed contact compartments formed within t e shell, and through which a liquid successively flows in a downward direction, and a gas successively passes in an upward direction, means for causing the liquid to accumulate to a desired depth in each of the compartments, means to permit the overflow of the excess of liquid from compartment to com artment, means for ermitting the upwa passage of the gas rom compartment to compartment, and means for bringing the downwardly flowing liquid from a supercompartment into intimate contact with the upwardly flowing "gas from a subjacent compartment and ro ecting them into t6 the accumulated body 0 liquid in a compart- The partition plates are each sealed by an ment intermediate the superposed and'sub j acent compartments, whereby intimate contact of the flowing fluids between each other and the intermediate static body of liquid will take place in the intermediate compartment.

2. interfacial contact apparatus which consists of an enclosing shell, a plurality of transverse partitions dividing said shell into a series of superposed contact compartments,

means for delivering a liquid to the top of.

partment and the upwardly passing gas from a subjacent compartment into intimate contact in a compartment intermediate the superposed and subjacent compartments, means for thereafter conducting said commingled liquid and gas to a point below the level of the accumulated liquid in the intermediate compartment, and means for projecting said commingled liquid and gas into said body of liquid in a manner to produce intimate interfacial contact thereof.

3. An interfaeial contact apparatus comprising an outer shell closed at its opposite ends, means for deliveringa as under pressure to-the lower end of the s ell, means for delivering a liquid to the upper end of the shell, a plurality of transversely disposed plates fitted within the shell and spaced from each vother to form a series of intermediate contact compartments, drain pipes extending through each of the partitions, overflow nozzles in communication with the drain pipes and disposed above each of the partitions, whereby a predetermined depth of a liquid may be maintained in each of the compartments and the excess may, overflow and rain into the compartment beneath, as inlet openings formed through the partitions to permit gas from a lower compartment to passinto the next succeeding upper compartment, and a bubble cap into which the gas passes and which cap is in communication with the overflow pipe from the next succeeding upper compartment, whereby the upwardly flowin gas and the downwardly flowing liquid wi l commingle in the bubble cap and thereafter he pro ected into the accumulated liquid resting upon the partition.

4. An interfacial cbntact apparatus comprising averticall extendin shell closed at its opposite ends or delivering a gas under pressure to the lower endof the shell, means for delivering a liquid to the upper end of the shell, a plurality of horizontally disposed partition plates mounted within the shell and dividing the shell vertically into a plurality of superposed contact compartments, each of said partition plates being formed with a plu rality of gas openings uniformly distributed over the area thereof for permitting gas to pass from a lower compartment to an upper compartment and a plurality of liquid openings for permitting liquid to flow from an upper compartment to a lower compartment, bubble caps disposed over the vapor openings and having serrations in their marginal edge, overflow nozzles, connected with the liquid openings, whereby a predetermined depth of liquid may be established in each contact compartment, said depth being suflicientto cause the upper edge of the serrations in the bubble cap to be submerged in the liquid, and

a drain tube directly establishing communication between an overflow nozzle of one compartment and a bubble cap of the next succeeding lower compartment, whereby the upwardly passing gas and the downwardly passing liquid will meet within the bubble cap and be ejected into the liquid on the partition plate, to create turbulent action and to produce interfacial contact of the liquids and gas.

5. An interracial contact apparatus comprising an outer shell closed at its opposite ends, means for delivering a gas under pressure to the lower end of the shell, means for delivering a liquid to the upper end of the shell, a plurality of transversely disposed plates fitted within the shell andspaced from each other to form a series of intermediate contact compartments, drain pipes extending through each of the partitions, overflow nozzles in communication with the drain pipes and disposed above each of the partitions, whereby a predetermined depth of a liquid may be maintained in each of the compartments and the excess may overflow and drain into the compartment beneath, gas inlet openings formed through the partitions to permit gas from a lower compartment to pass into the next succeeding upper compartment, and a bubble cap into which the gas passes and which cap is in eommunication with the overflow pipe from the next succeeding upper compartment, whereby the upwardly flowing gas and the downwardly flowing liquid will commingle in the bubble cap and thereafter be projected into the accumulated liquid resting upon the partition.

6. An inter-facial contact apparatus comprising a vertically extending shell closed at its opposite ends for delivering a' gas under pressure to the lower end of the shell. means for delivering a liquid to the upper end of the shell, a plurality of horizontally disposed partition plates mounted within the shell and dividing the shell vertically into a plurality of superposed contact compartments, each of said partition plates being formed with a plurality of gas openings uniformly distributed over the area thereof for permitting gas to pass from a lower compartment to an upper compartment, and a plurality of liquid openings for permitting liquid to flow, from an upper compartment to a lower compartment, bubble caps disposed over the gas openings, overflow nozzles, and a Weir cup mounted over the lower end of a drain tube within the bubble cap to prevent the flow of liquid through the gas inflow opening and to direct a dowmgardly flowing liquid and the upwardly flowing gas into a common path of travel.

7. A bubble apparatus having an outer shell and a plurality of contact compartments separated by intermediate partition walls, means for producing intimate interfacial contact between a gas delivered from a lower compartment and a-liquid delivered from an upper compartment comprisin a plurality of gas inlet nipples uniformly istributd over the area of the partition plates and projecting upwardly therefrom and through which nipples gas may pass, a bubble cap disposed in circumscribing relation to each of the nipples and having its edge terminating in spaced relation to the upper face of the partition plate, a drain tube extending downwardly through a. liquid flow opening formed in the partition plate above and communicating with the bubble cap to directly deliver liquid thereinto, said tube being fitted with an upwardly extending overflow nozzle which permits the surplus liquid to overflow into the bubble cap of the compartment therebeneath. v

8. A bubble apparatus having an outer shell and a plurality of contact compartments separated by intermediate partition walls, means for'producing intimate interfacial contact between a gas delivered from 'a lower compartment and a liquid delivered from an upper compartment, comprising a plurality of gas inlet nipples uniformly distributed over the area. of the partition plates and projecting upwardly therefrom and through which nipples gas 'or vapor may pass, a bubble cap disposed in circumscribing relation to each ofthe nipples and having its lower edge terminating in spaced'relation to the upper face of the partition plate, a drain tube extending downwardly through a liquid flow opening formed in-the partition plate above and communicating with the bubble cap to directly deliver liquid there- .into, said tube being fitted with an upwardly extending overflow nozzle which limits the level of the accumulated liquid in the compartment and permits the surplus tohverflow into the bubble capl-of the compartment therebeneath, the lower edges of the bubble,

cap being serrated to increase turbulence of the commin ling liquid and gas.

9. A bub le a paratus having an outer shell and a plurality of contact compartments separated by intermediate partition walls, means for producing intimate interfacial contact between a gas delivered from a lower compartment and a liquid delivered from an upper compartment, comprising a plurality of gas inlet nipples uniformly distributed over the area of the partition plates and projecting upwardly therefrom, and through which nipples gas may pass, a bubble ca disposed in circumscribing relation to eac of the nipples and having its edge terminating in spaced relation to the upper face of the partition plate, a drain tube ex: tending downwardly through a liquid flow opening formed in the partition plate above and communicating with the bubble cap to directly deliver liquid thereinto, said tube being fitted with an upwardly extending overflow nozzle which permits the surplus liquid to overflow into the bubble cap of the, compartment therebeneath, and means mounted upon the lower end of the drain tube and within the bubble cap, whereby a liquid seal will be formed between the compartments while permitting liquid to overflow within the bubble cap and around the nipple to commingle 'with the gas passing upwardly through the nipple and to thereafter ass therewith beneath the bubble cap and into the liquid within which the lower end of the bubble cap is submerged.

10. An interfacial contact apparatus comprising an enclosing shell, a plurality of horizontal partitions dividing said shell into a series of suiperposed contact compartments, means for elivering a liquid to the uppermost of said compartments, means for delivering a gas under pressure to the lowermost of said compartments, said partition plates being formed with a series of uniformly arranged gas nipples through them, the nipples on adjacent plates being staggered in their relation to each other, and a plurality of uniformly arranged liquid openings through each plate, the liquid openings on adjacent plates being staggered with each other, whereby the nipples on one plate and the liqpid openings of an adjacent plate will be su stantially in vertical alignment, a liquid,

overflow nozzle fitted to each of the liquid openings in the plates and adapted to permit liquid above a predetermined level to overflow into the nozzle and through the plate, a drain tube in communication with said openings to receive the liquid, a bubble cap disposed in its inverted position over the aligned nipple of the next lower plate and with its lower edge submerged in the liquid on the plate and with which cap the drain tube communicates, whereby the downwardly flowing liquid and the upwardly flowing gas will commingle within the bubble cap and will then be forced into the liquid resting upon the partition plate.

11. An interfacial contact apparatus comprising an enclosing shell, a plurality of superposed contact compartments formed within the shell, and through which a liquid successively flows in a downward direction, and a gas successively passes vin an upward direction, means for causing the liquid to accumulate to a desired depth in each of the compartments, means to permit the overflow of the excess of liquid from compartment to compartment, means for permitting the upward passage of the gas from compartment to compartment, and means for bringing the downwardly flowing liquid from a superposed compartment into intimate contact with the upwardly flowing gas from a subjacent compartment and projecting them into the accumulated body of liquid in a compartment intermediate the superposed and subjacent compartments whereby intimate contact of the flowing fluids between each other and the intermediate static body of liquid will take place in the intermediate compartment, and means for creating a liquid seal between the compartments.

ALOIS KREMSER. 

